But the senior's unbridled bravado sure got the best of him Oct. 5, when the Red Raiders dropped a 34-16 decision to arch-rival Stillwater in the annual Indian Bowl game, a contest that was broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports.

The team's four-game winning streak ended, and, despite throwing for a season-high 132 yards, Cimino missed open receivers and handled himself in a way he found uncomfortable watching afterwards.

"It kind of was a wake-up call," Cimino said of the Stillwater game. "Your head gets big and you think you are better than you are. Honestly, it was probably the best thing that happened to us this season. We came back, went to work and took care of business."

No player has been more introspective regarding that evening than Cimino, and he applied what he learned by leading the Red Raiders to a pair of lopsided victories over Hudson (32-8) and Watervliet (40-0).

The Red Raiders (6-2) return to Stillwater again Saturday, except this time it will be in a Section II Class C semifinal game against South Division champion Chatham (8-0). Game time is 1 p.m.

More Information

At a glance

What: Mechanicville vs. Chatham, Class C Semifinal

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Stillwater High

Inside

B3 • Playoff capsules.

B3 • Crossover game roundup.

-

Normally, Cimino studies game tape during the weekend. He could not bring himself to view the Stillwater game until the following Monday.

Mechanicville coach Kevin Collins and his coaching staff immediately noticed a significant change in the team's 5-foot-11, 160-pound signal-caller when he hit the practice field.

"The switch clicked (on), and he's been fantastic ever since," Collins said. "Probably the biggest thing he has added is patience. He stopped trying to overanalyze things."

"I didn't play the best game (against Stillwater)," Cimino said. "I'll be the first to admit it. It is hard to watch, but I watch it. You have to learn from your mistakes."

So, what did Cimino learn as he watched?

"I let my emotions get the better of me," he said. "I didn't act like a leader I had been to that point. I saw the way I was acting. It made me sick to my stomach, so from that point on I put it behind me and got better from it. I felt like I let my coaches down and my teammates down, so I didn't want to let it happen again."

Redemption for Cimino came against Hudson, where he rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

"We have been trying to put him in the situation all year where he was able to do things with his feet to open up the pass, and he certainly did that," Collins said.

Cimino put together a tremendous performance in the quarterfinal against Watervliet; he completed three of six passes for 99 yards and rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Collins said the Watervliet game was huge for his entire team, but added, "It was especially big for Sal. He had a lot of heat on him after the Stillwater game. He got the opportunity to really show what he could do against Watervliet."

The next task for Cimino is making his coach fulfill a promise he made in September. Collins will don a Mohawk haircut if the team reaches the Super Bowl.